Good Lord, my mind is blown. Before I get into the story, let's set the scene. This afternoon, the Eagles played a home game in Philly, and not long after, the Phillies started Game 4 of the World Series. Also tonight, the Who visited the Wachovia Center, for a concert that took place concurrently with the Phillies' game. Busy day in the sports complex area. Where was I, you might ask? Well, that would be the Who concert, of course, and it absolutely blew my freaking mind.

BG calls me at noon, and says, "Hey, want to go to the Who tonight, for free." (The guy who paid for the ticket had to back out. Obviously, Bob's got a bottle of whiskey coming his way.) Needless to say, it didn't really matter that I had to work. After about 30 minutes of a crappy opening band whose name escapes me, it was time to rock out... for the next 2 hours.

First, some general comments, then a setlist as I remember it. To begin with, whoever does the lights for the Who deserves a damn medal. The effects were amazing, and added measurably to what would have been an amazing show in its own right. Also, whoever says that old dudes can't rock, well, they are sorely mistaken. Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend rock harder than anyone I have ever seen, and it physically exhausted me just watching them, I can't imagine actually doing what they do.

So, for a playlist. I'll double check it tomorrow when the reviews come out, but I think I was able to get it down pretty pat: Can't Explain; The Seeker; The Kids Are Alright; Fragments; Who Are You; Behind Blue Eyes; Good Looking Boy; Sister Disco; Baba O'Riley; Getting in Tune; ?; 5:15; Love Reign O'er Me; My Generation; Won't Get Fooled Again. Encore: Medley from Tommy, including Pinball Wizard; Amazing Journey; See Me, Feel Me; and Listening to You; concluding with an acoustic Tea and Theater.

The Who took the stage and Pete, almost a little too humbly says, "We know we're not the biggest game in town tonight," which is quite true, as most people were cheering just as loudly for the Phillies' updates they were getting on their cellphones, as they were for the songs being played. They rip off the first three songs rapid fire, including an amazing rendition of The Seeker. Who Are You and Behind Blue Eyes really ramp up the crowd, but an odd, if somewhat long Elvis tribute kind of calmed things down, but luckily Baba O'Riley soon followed, really getting the crowd back into the game.

Daltrey really hit one out of the park on Love Reign Over Me, my favorite Who song, and showed that he still has that gravely scream that drives the song home. Now, just as the band transitioned into My Generation, and I mean literally just, Ryan Howard hit a 3-run home run to put the Phillies up by 4. I really thought the roof was going to come off the joint; the place just exploded. To conclude the main set with Won't Get Fooled Again was genius. It left the crowd simmering, and quite frankly wondering what they could do for an encore. Though they missed some favorites (Magic Bus, Squeeze Box, I Can See For Miles), the encore they chose could not have been more amazing. They guys retake the stage to a roaring ovation, Pete quiets the crowd and says, "For our encore, excerpts from an opera." All I could think was Tommy. And I'll be goddamned if they didn't launch into a medley from Tommy that lasted for 25 straight minutes. No lie. After 90+ minutes of kicking major ass, they come back for a nearly 30 minute encore. Beyond mind blowing. The night ended with an acoustic and, dare I say, intimate performance of Tea and Theater, with just Roger and Pete.

The point: Singly the best concert I've ever been to, or will probably ever go to. Townshend's guitar was simply incendiary and Daltrey showed that even after decades of abuse, his voice could still rise to the occasion when called upon. My ears will be ringing for the better part of the next week for sure, but, really, would we want it any other way?

Of all random days, today was kind of awesome. Please, let me explain:

First, an absolutely bee-you-ti-ful day, though I had to spend it at work, but I digress.

At work I spend a lot of time in my office, basically dicking around until someone needs me to do something; as such, I need to find ways to entertain  myself. I usually do this by spending my morning shifts listening to the Preston and Steve radio show on WMMR (site here). Every morning P&S have what they call the Lesson Question, in which they ask a question regarding something they discussed earlier on the show. If you remember, and are the right caller, you win a neat prize.

Well, kids, today I happened to be the right caller, and remembered that Steve was expecting to see the face of Phillies' centerfielder Shane Victorino gracing cans of Spam in the grocery store. Consequently, I nabbed a $50 gift certificate to this neat CC pub called Dr. Watson's (Doc Watson's).

What one must understand, of course, is that shit like this never, ever, happens to me. The fact that I called the contest line and the phone actually rang, is a victory in and of itself. Picking up, getting my name and putting me on hold was even better, and then actually giving me a prize, is pretty damn awesome. Yeah, I understand that it's not like I won a million bucks or a car or something, but it really made my day.

Oh and a special MITCOBL announcement, our next liveblogging experience will occur in 18 days, I'll let you do the math and figure out why that date will be important, but here's to hoping that the day goes down in history as the most pivotal day in my lifetime.

And even though I've been very clear about whom I support, remember it is essential that you vote, regardless of which party or candidate you are for. It's essential to everything America is about. And even if we can't agree on politics, we can all agree that this is pretty damn funny.

So I know I told you guys that I was off the soapbox for the night, but I just remembered a great Letterman joke I was shown earlier this evening:

Are you familiar with the Hillary Clinton 3 a.m. phone call commercial that she has been running during her campaign? The idea is if the phone rings at 3 a.m., who “would you want to be president? She has another one. The phone rings at 3 a.m., Hillary picks up the phone and says, “Stop bothering me, President Obama.”

HA! Rock On!

You all should know that I just drank a $50 bottle of water (yes you read that right, water) all in one sitting. I feel horrible... not because I drank $50 water (unpaid for in case you were worried), but because a liter of water really fills a guy up.


Just fyi.

Today (Tuesday) was indeed monumental my friends. From this day forth, February 19, 2008 will be known as Mangasm 2008, the ultimate in male oriented luxury and excess. Seriously folks, I'm considering making this an annual thing. Please, let me explain this day to you:


10:45- Wake Up. Sleeping in is essential for this day to be a success.

12:15- Arrive in Center City, visit CC's nicest cigar store for some browsing, even bought an early birthday gift for dad, and something for me. Not my normal place, but you have to understand that the simple smell of a place like that is intoxicating... Moving on.

12:45- Arrive at the Art of Shaving (don’t mind giving these guys some free pub) for my V-Day present from C: A professional hot shave. Granted, this may sound a little off to some, I guarantee you that if you experience this, you will not doubt it’s gloriousness. The über-metro barber (replete with pinstriped vest and scally cap) proceeds to give me a hot towel treatment, nice hot shave, cold towel treatment and an amazing lavender-sandalwood after-shave. Laugh, call me what you will, but try it and you’ll understand.

1:30- Sit down for a steak lunch downtown. 9-ounce sirloin, medium, with mashed potatoes and broccoli. Delightful.

3:00- Arrive back in the apartment, relax, head out to my local cigar place to hang out with some buddies and have a smoke or two. Find out later that there’s a good chance that I’ll be heading to Honduras in the fall to tour the Rocky Patel cigar factory/plantation and spend a weekend relaxing in Central America with C and some cigar store buddies. Pretty sweet deal. Details to follow when they get figured out.


Dispute it if you must, but that’s a pretty freaking sweet day, if I do say so myself. Already planning Mangasm 2009… Let me know if you want in, seating will be limited.